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HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Board Retreat
January 27-28, 2006
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session for a retreat on
Friday and Saturday, January 27-28, 2006, at the Blockade-Runner Conference Center,
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
Members present: Teddy J. Byrd, Chairman
Beatrice B. Hill, Vice Chairman
Dan B. Andrews
Walt Titchener
Tim McNeill
Staff present: Neil Emory, County Manager
Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board
Guest: Steve Reed, The Daily Record
Friday, January 27, 2006
Chairman Byrd called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and offered the invocation.
Mr. Emory provided an overview of the day’s agenda.
The following presentations were made:
Alice Powell, Parks & Recreation Director, and Del Crawford, Consultant, presented a
report on the recently completed Parks & Recreation study. Citizen participation by
surveys was successful and provided lots of ideas for future development of parks, trails,
and other forms of recreation in Harnett County.
Melanie Collins, Library Director, reported on the use of the libraries in the County and
discussed the possibility of opening a library in the western area of the County sometime
in the future.
Jerry Blanchard, General Services Manager, reported on the items listed below regarding
the Harnett County Solid Waste Management operations:
- Permitting and building a transfer facility at Anderson Creek Landfill
- Permitting construction and demolition landfills at Dunn-Erwin and Anderson
Creek Sites
- Contract for transportation and disposal to a regional landfill (current contract
with Uwharrie Environmental Inc./5-year contract beginning January 1, 2003).
- New land acquisition
- Convenience centers status
Dan Honeycutt, Superintendent, Harnett County Schools, led a discussion of the School
System’s current budget, its capital needs, and proposed redistricting. Also representing
Harnett County Schools were Donna McNeill, Board Chairman, Billy Tart, Board
member, and Robert Troutman, Finance Officer.
George Jackson, Planning Director, gave an overview of accomplishments of all sections
of the Planning Department. Joseph Jefferies, Chief Planner, discussed residential
growth of the county and long range planning needs. This includes proposed changes to
the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. Conservation design of developments
was discussed as well as addition of proposed recreation fees. Mark Locklear, Senior
Planner, discussed whether it is time for the Planning Department to develop an updated
Land Use Plan for Harnett County. Mr. Locklear also talked about long range needs of
the County and the current Junkyard Ordinance.
Steve Ward, Assistant Director, Public Utilities, provided an update on all the current
water and sewer projects and projected future water demands.
Gary Pope, Emergency Services Director, and Ricky Denning, Assistant Emergency
Services Director for EMS, discussed collections for Emergency Medical Services and
funding for the County’s volunteer rescue squads. Mr. Pope reviewed reports from the
volunteer fire departments and discussed district lines.
Wm. A. (Tony) Wilder, Assistant County Manager, reviewed statistics from the Animal
Control Department and discussed goals for the upcoming year.
There being no further business for the day, the meeting recessed at 6:45 p.m.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Chairman Byrd called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. The commissioners, staff and
guest who attended the meeting Friday were present Saturday.
Neil Emory, County Manager, noted that Campbell University will begin construction on
its Convocation Center soon. The Board members agreed that it would be beneficial to
the County, and to Campbell University, if the County could buy capacity in the
Convocation Center so it may be used for Harnett County recreation programs and
events.
Mr. Emory reported that the new jail project will go to bid this fall and discussed
construction costs. He noted that since a jail facility is a unique type of building, it would
be wise to have an on-site project manager.
Mr. Emory reported on the County’s financial position, including debt schedule, revenue
outlook, and capital funding. He and the Board discussed priorities for the upcoming
2006-07 Budget year.
Mr. Emory and the Commissioners discussed presentations made Friday and the requests
for guidance by staff.
The Board briefly discussed boards and committees and concluded that Commissioner
Andrews serve on the Mid-Carolina Council of Governments Board of Directors;
Commissioner McNeill on the steering committee for Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC); and Commissioner Hill, the Smart Start Board. Chairman Byrd suggested they
cancel the Commissioners’ board rotation schedule and discuss the matter every year at
Retreat, then take action at the next regular meeting after the Retreat.
There being no further business, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners Retreat
adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
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Teddy J. Byrd, Chairman
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Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board